Where to Donate Old Glasses: 13 Options (Local & by Mail)

Old pairs of prescription eyeglasses may not be useful to you as your prescription changes, but there are some options for donating your old glasses that can benefit others in your community or around the world, as well as keep additional waste from the environment. For the list of options to donate your old eyeglasses, see below.

Comparison Table

You can use the table below to compare the places that accept eyeglasses donations. Click each company name to view more details in the list below, and click the arrows at the top of each column to sort the table.

The List

The list below details businesses that collect used eyeglasses. We list the options alphabetically; the best choice for you will depend on which stores are located near you and whether you are willing to donate by mail.

We researched and contacted each of the following businesses to gather the details of their eyeglass donation programs. The glasses you donate do need to be in good condition, but they don’t need to be in a case.

The options in our list are national companies; you might also want to contact local optometrists, ophthalmologists, thrift stores, or homeless shelters near you to see if they accept used glasses. You might also consider creating donation boxes and collecting used glasses to donate on a larger scale.

America’s Best

• Types of glasses: Prescription eyeglasses, sunglasses, and readers^[1]
• Condition: Gently used^[1]
• Restrictions: None
• How to donate: Eyeglass collection box or give to an optical associate^[1]
• Find out more

Goodwill

• Types of glasses: Any prescription and non-prescription glasses^[2]
• Condition: Gently used^[2]
• Restrictions: None
• How to donate: Drop off in the donation area^[2]
• Find out more

LensCrafters

• Types of glasses: Any prescription glasses and sunglasses^[3]
• Condition: Gently used^[3]
• Restrictions: No readers^[3]
• How to donate: Drop off in the lobby^[3]
• Find out more

Lions Clubs International

• Types of glasses: Prescription glasses and sunglasses^[4]
• Condition: Gently used^[4]
• Restrictions: No readers^[4]
• How to donate: Dropbox at Walmart or Sam’s Club, take to your local Lions Club, or mail to a Lions Eyeglass Recycle Center (use the “find out more” link)^[4]
• Find out more

OneSight

• Types of glasses: Any prescription glasses^[5]
• Condition: Gently used^[5]
• Restrictions: No readers^[5]
• How to donate: Drop off at a LensCrafters or Pearle Vision location^[5]
• Find out more

Pearle Vision

• Types of glasses: Any prescription glasses^[6]
• Condition: Gently used^[6]
• Restrictions: No readers^[6]
• How to donate: Drop off^[6]
• Find out more

ReSpectacle

• Types of glasses: Any prescription glasses^[7]
• Condition: Gently used^[7]
• Restrictions: None
• How to donate: Drop off at an office location on the map in the link below or mail to:^[7]
  • Associated Eye Care, LTD
    C/O Jeffrey Lynch MD
    1719 Tower Drive
    Stillwater, MN 55082
• Find out more

Salvation Army

• Types of glasses: Prescription glasses and sunglasses^[8]
• Condition: Gently used^[8]
• Restrictions: None^[8]
• How to donate: Drop off in the donation area^[8]
• Find out more

Sam’s Club

• Types of glasses: Prescription glasses and sunglasses^[9]
• Condition: Gently used^[9]
• Restrictions: No readers^[9]
• How to donate: Use the Lions Club dropbox^[9]
• Find out more

VSP Eyes of Hope

• Types of glasses: All prescription glasses and readers^[10]
• Condition: Gently used^[10]
• Restrictions: None
• How to donate: Submit a VSP Contact Form for instructions
• Find out more

Walmart

• Types of glasses: Prescription glasses and sunglasses^[11]
• Condition: Gently used^[11]
• Restrictions: No readers^[11]
• How to donate: Use the Lions Club dropbox^[11]
• Find out more

Our previous research details how to donate glasses at Walmart.

Places That Don’t Accept Eyeglasses Donations

• BJ’s Optical
• Target Optical (See our previous research on donating eyeglasses at Target.)